Vehicle remote key holder

ABSTRACT

A vehicle remote key holder adapted for receiving and holding a vehicle ignition key and key handle therein. The ignition key folded on the key handle. The key holder may be releasably attached to a belt, shirt pocket and like articles of clothing of the user of the key holder. The key holder includes a holder housing having an open top for receiving the vehicle key and key handle therein. The holder housing also includes a bottom, a front, a back, a first side and a second side. A spring mounted clip is attached to the back of the housing and used for releasable attachment to the clothing of the user of the key holder. A portion of the bottom and a lower portion of the front of the housing are cut away for gripping the key handle and folded ignition key with a thumb and a finger of the user of the key holder and releasing it upwardly from inside the housing. Also, an upper portion of the first and second sides and an upper portion of the front is cut away for ease in gripping the key handle with the thumb and finger and removing it from the housing. Inside the holder housing is mounted a compression pad. The compression pad is used for engaging a portion of the key handle and holding the key handle and folded ignition key firmly inside the holder housing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] (a) Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to article holders releasably attached to articles of clothing and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to vehicle remote key holder for holding a foldable ignition key and key handle therein, The key holder may be attached to a belt, shirt pocket and other articles of clothing.

[0003] (b) Discussion of Prior Art

[0004] Heretofore, there have been a number of different types of plastic, nylon fabric and leather holders used for holding and storing cellular telephones, bar code scanners, and like equipment. Also, there are various types of tool holders adapted for attaching to a belt around a user's waist.

[0005] None of the above mentioned article holders provide individually or in combination the unique features, advantages, structure and function of the subject key holder for holding a vehicle ignition key and key handle therein and releasably attached to a portion of an article of clothing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the subject invention to provide a key holder for holding a foldable ignition key and key handle in a snug fit therein.

[0007] Another object of the invention is the key holder can be quickly attached to a belt, shirt or coat pocket and other articles of clothing.

[0008] Still another object of the key holder is it is lightweight, rugged in construction, inexpensive and easy to use when holding a vehicle ignition key and key handle.

[0009] Yet another object of the invention is the key holder includes a housing with openings therein for ease in gripping the folded ignition key and key handle stored therein and quickly removing the key and key handle therefrom when the key is ready for use. Also, the openings in the housing allow for quickly inserting the folded ignition key and key handle therein.

[0010] The key holder includes a holder housing having an open top for receiving the folded vehicle key and key handle therein. The holder housing also includes a bottom, a front, a back, a first side and a second side. A spring mounted clip is attached to the back of the housing and used for releasable attachment to the clothing of the user of the key holder. A portion of the bottom and a lower portion of the front of the housing are cut away for gripping the key handle and folded ignition key with a thumb and a finger of the user of the key holder and releasing it upwardly from inside the housing. Also, an upper portion of the first and second sides and an upper portion of the front is cut away for ease in gripping the key handle with the thumb and finger and removing it from the housing or inserting it into the housing. Inside the holder housing is mounted a compression pad. The compression pad is used for engaging a portion of the key handle and holding the key handle and folded ignition key firmly inside the holder housing.

[0011] These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those familiar various types of article holders used for attaching to clothing when reviewing the following detailed description, showing novel construction, combination, and elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the claims, it being understood that changes in the embodiments to the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included as coming within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings illustrate complete preferred embodiments of the present invention according to the best modes presently devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a user of the vehicle remote key holder with the key holder releasably attached to a belt of the user. In this drawing, the user is shown inserting a folded ignition key and key handle into the top of the key holder.

[0014]FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the key holder attached to the user's belt and the folded ignition key and key handle positioned for receipt in an open top of the holder housing.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a side view of the key holder with spring mounted clip attached to a back of the holder housing. The key handle with ignition key folded thereon is shown ready for inserting into the open top of the holder housing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] In FIG. 1, a perspective view of the vehicle remote key holder is shown and having general reference numeral 10. The key holder 10, in this drawing, is releasably attached to a belt 12 of a user 14 of the invention. The user 14 is shown inserting a vehicle ignition key 16 folded on a key handle 18 into the top of the key holder 10. The vehicle ignition key 16 is shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0017] In FIG. 2, an enlarged perspective view of the key holder 10 is illustrated and attached to the user's belt 12. The ignition key 16 is shown in a raised position is solid lines and in a lowered position, as indicated by arrow 20, in dotted lines. This type of ignition key 16 provides for allowing the key to be folded next to one side of the key handle 18 when a release button 17 is pushed on the handle. The key handle 18 with folded ignition key 16 is illustrated positioned for receipt, as indicated by dashed arrow 22, in an open top 24 of a holder housing 26.

[0018] The holder housing 26 also includes a bottom 28, a front 30, a back 32, a first side 34 and a second side 36. A spring mounted clip 38 is attached to the back 32 of the housing 26 and used for releasable attachment to the clothing of the user of the key holder 10.

[0019] A portion 40 of the bottom 28 and a lower portion 42 of the front 30 of the housing 26 are cut away. This feature allows for engaging the key handle 18 with an index finger or a middle finger or both by the user 14 of the key holder 10 for releasing the key handle 18 and folded ignition key 16 upwardly from inside the housing 26.

[0020] Also, an upper portion 44 of the first and second sides 34 and 36 and an upper portion 46 of the front 30 is cut away for ease in gripping the key handle 18 with the thumb and finger and removing it from the housing 26 or inserting it into the housing.

[0021] In FIG. 3, a side view of the key holder 10 is illustrated with spring mounted clip 38 attached to the back of the holder housing 26. The key handle 18 with ignition key 16 folded thereon are shown ready for inserting into the open top 24 of the holder housing 26 as indicated by dashed arrow 22.

[0022] The clip includes a clip handle 48, a spring biased pivot pin 50 for holding the clip in a closed position and a clip arm 52 used for engaging the belt 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The clip arm 52 is shown in solid lines in a closed position and in dashed lines in an open position. Arrow 54 indicates the opening and closing of the clip arm 52.

[0023] Shown in this drawing and inside the holder housing 26 is a compression pad 56. The compression pad 56 is used for engaging a portion of the key handle 18 and holding the key handle 18 and folded ignition key 16 firmly inside the holder housing 26. Obviously, the compression pad 56 may be made of different materials and placed in different positions inside the housing 26 for providing for a snug fit against the key handle 18 to prevent the key handle 18 with ignition key 16 from inadvertently falling out of the open top of the housing.

[0024] While the invention has been shown, described and illustrated in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments and modifications thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as claimed, except as precluded by the prior art. 

The embodiments of the invention for which an exclusive privilege and property right is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A vehicle remote key holder adapted for receiving and holding a vehicle ignition key and key handle therein, the key holder may be releasably attached to a belt, a shirt pocket and like articles of clothing of the user, the key holder comprising: a holder housing having an open top adapted for receiving the vehicle key and key handle therein, said holder housing having a bottom, a front, a back, a first side and a second side, a portion of said holder housing cut away for griping the ignition key and key handle for removing and inserting the key and key handle in said housing; and a spring mounted clip attached to the back of said housing and adapted for releasable attachment to the clothing of the user.
 2. The key holder as described in claim 1 wherein a portion of the bottom and a lower portion of the front of said housing is cut away for gripping the key handle and folded ignition key with a thumb and a finger of the user of said key holder and releasing it upwardly from inside the housing.
 3. The key holder as described in claim 1 wherein an upper portion of the first and second sides and an upper portion of the front of said housing is cut away for ease in gripping the key handle with the thumb and finger and removing it from said housing.
 4. The key holder as described in claim 1 further including a compression pad attached to and mounted inside said housing, said compression pad used for engaging a portion of the key handle and holding the key handle and folded ignition key firmly inside said holder housing.
 5. A vehicle remote key holder adapted for receiving and holding a vehicle ignition key and key handle therein, the key holder may be releasably attached to a belt, a shirt pocket and like articles of clothing of the user, the key holder comprising: a holder housing having an open top adapted for receiving the vehicle key and key handle therein, said holder housing having a bottom, a front, a back, a first side and a second side, a portion of said holder housing cut away for griping the ignition key and key handle for removing and inserting the key and key handle in said housing; a spring mounted clip attached to the back of said housing and adapted for releasable attachment to the clothing of the user; and a compression pad attached to and mounted inside said housing and on the front of said housing, said compression pad used for engaging a portion of the key handle and holding the key handle and folded ignition key firmly inside said holder housing.
 6. The key holder as described in claim 5 wherein a portion of the bottom and a lower portion of the front of said housing is cut away for gripping the key handle and folded ignition key with a thumb and a finger of the user of said key holder and releasing it upwardly from inside said housing.
 7. The key holder as described in claim 5 wherein an upper portion of the first and second sides and an upper portion of the front of said housing is cut away for ease in gripping the key handle with the thumb and finger and removing it from the housing.
 8. A vehicle remote key holder adapted for receiving and holding a vehicle ignition key and key handle therein, the key holder may be releasably attached to a belt, a shirt pocket and like articles of clothing of the user, the key holder comprising: a holder housing having an open top adapted for receiving the vehicle key and key handle therein, said holder housing having a bottom, a front, a back, a first side and a second side, a portion of said holder housing cut away for griping the ignition key and key handle for removing and inserting the key and key handle in said housing, an upper portion of the first and second sides of said housing is cut away for ease in gripping the key handle with the thumb and finger and removing it from the housing; a spring mounted clip attached to the back of said housing and adapted for releasable attachment to the clothing of the user; and a compression pad attached to and mounted inside said housing and on the front of said housing, said compression pad used for engaging a portion of the key handle and holding the key handle and folded ignition key firmly inside said holder housing.
 9. The key holder as described in claim 8 wherein a portion of the bottom of said housing is cut away for releasing the key handle and folded ignition key upwardly from inside said housing.
 10. The key holder as described in claim 8 wherein a portion of a lower portion of the front of said housing is cut away for releasing the key handle and folded ignition key from inside said housing.
 11. The key holder as described in claim 8 wherein an upper portion of the front of said housing is cut away for ease in gripping the key handle with the thumb and finger and removing it from the housing.
 12. The key holder as described in claim 8 wherein said spring mounted clip includes a clip handle, a spring biased pivot pin and a clip arm, the clip arm adapted for releasable attachment to the clothing of the user. 